House Republican Press Release

June 18, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Statement From the Office of Governor M. Jodi Rell

Statement of Governor M. Jodi Rell on Renaissance Place Project in Naugatuck Valley

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today issued the following statement on the Naugatuck Economic Development Corp. Renaissance Place project:

            “Let me be clear: I support the Renaissance Place project and I recognize and appreciate the excellent work the Naugatuck Economic Development Corp. has done for the people of the Valley. My commitment to the project – and to the importance of economic development projects all over Connecticut – is unchanged.

            “Not only am I committed to working with the entire Naugatuck Valley delegation – led by Rep. Kevin DelGobbo and including Rep. David Labriola and Sens. Joan Hartley and Joseph J. Crisco Jr. – to making every effort to move this project forward, I have demonstrated that commitment by making state bond funding available earlier this year for design work.

            “I have spoken with Representative DelGobbo, and I know he is disappointed by my decision to veto House Bill 5936. As I told him, my problem with the bill was the funding mechanism it set up, which would bypass the Bond Commission. As Governor, I cannot allow that to happen, no matter how much I personally want to see projects like Renaissance Place succeed.

            “I want the people of the Naugatuck Valley to know I will do everything I can to help move this project forward. At my request, the Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development will be in the region Monday to work with local development officials and discuss how we can do just that.”